1. State University of New York Maritime College

For the second year in a row, the top-salaried alumni in the country were graduates of a state school that accepts almost 70% of applicants, according to US News and World Report.

In-state tuition is less than $8,000 a semester, meaning Maritime College arguably offers decent bang for your buck. Of course, that's assuming you are down with military culture (oh, and a student body that is 90% men — which probably helps avoid the drag of that pesky gender pay gap).

2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Given that 87% of Massachusetts Institute of Technology students graduate with a STEM degree, according to PayScale, it's no surprise they're rewarded with fat paychecks once they launch careers: Engineering and computer science, for example, tends to pay more than other fields.

3. Harvey Mudd

Mid-career pay: $131,000 / Starting pay: $78,500

Harvey Mudd provides a small-college experience with a curriculum focused on training engineers and scientists.

7. United States Naval Academy at Annapolis

Mid-career pay: $125,000 / Starting pay: $72,900

The Naval Academy's graduates make nearly as much as their counterparts in the army and many go on to careers outside of the military — as was the case for former U.S. president and Naval Academy alum Jimmy Carter.

Interestingly, the Naval Academy, as opposed to the Air Force Academy, has produced the most astronauts: More than 50, in fact.

The Naval Academy is selective, but its impressive graduates go on to earn high salaries in respected fields.Source: Patrick Semansky/AP

8. United States Air Force Academy

Mid-career pay: $124,000 / Starting pay: $68,800

Many graduates of the Air Force Academy — located in Colorado Springs, Colorado — unsurprisingly end up becoming military or commercial pilots, according to PayScale.

10. Harvard University

Grads say they get fulfillment from their careers — not just renumeration: Nearly two-thirds of former students say they think their jobs make the world a better place.

Of course, it's not just what school you attend that determines your salary.

That also depends a lot on what you study: Across different programs, petroleum engineers, for instance, average nearly six-figure salaries upon graduation.

PayScale also points out that — while liberal arts graduates tend to take a little longer to get set up in their careers — their "well-rounded" skill sets can land them in well-paying fields eventually.